Waldrum defends his decision to play midfielder Ucheibe as central defender against Banyana Banyana

Super Falcons manager Randy Waldrum has defended his decision to deploy Christy Ucheibe as a central defender in his side's 1-0 win against Banyana Banyana in a Paris 2024 Olympic qualifier staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Friday evening.

Atlético de Madrid dazzler Rasheedat Ajibade scored what proved to be the game-winning goal two minutes before halftime, converting a penalty after Chinwendu Ihezuo was brought down by Noko Matlou inside the box.

Nigeria faced a defensive injury crisis in the lead-up to the game against South Africa, with Oluwatosin Demehin and Ashleigh Plumptre forced to pull out of the roster due to injuries. 

Teenage defenders Shukurat Oladipo and Jumoke Alani lacked the necessary experience to start a match of that magnitude. 

Ucheibe is not unfamiliar with the center back position, having previously played in that role for Benfica in Champions League matches against Lyon, Barcelona, FC Rosengård, and Eintracht Frankfurt this season.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Waldrum said: "She's played in a back three you know with Benfica in the Champions League so we knew we could drop her in the back.

"She can certainly solve that problem for us. She was very good against Thembi Kgatlana especially, I thought."

2023 Fifa Women's World Cup star Ucheibe plays primarily as a holding midfielder for the Nigeria national team. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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